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BE at UP has proved to be a successful vehicle for enhancing the University of Pretorias contribution to our increasingly knowledge-based economy. Moreover, as a source of third stream income for the University, the campus enterprises play a vital role in enabling the University to grow our resource base in a sustainable manner, so that we can execute our strategy of creating a synergy between teaching, research and community engagement. I am confident that BE at UP will continue to build on its existing strengths and achievements, and that its continued commitment to quality, relevance and sustainability will keep it firmly on course to achieve greater levels of excellence and impact in the future, said Prof Cheryl de La Rey, Vice-chancellor and Principal at the University of Pretoria.
The vision behind the establishment of BE at UP in March 2000 was two-fold; industry would be offered an innovative and cutting-edge cluster of multidisciplinary contract research and consulting services; and the Universitys personnel would be offered the opportunity of gaining exposure, experience and financial advantage in the market place.
At inception, BE at UP was mandated to market the expertise located within only four disciplines at the University, however, towards the end of 2002 its service offering expanded to include the five other disciplines to make up the 9 faculties of the University. BE at UP has moved from about 100 completed projects in 2000 to over 1000 completed projects in 2009 which attributes to a turnover of just below R10 million in 2000 to a turnover of just over R60 million in 2009.
BE at UP is a manifestation of the Universitys aim to make its expertise available through consultation offerings which has in turn made a contribution to the growth and development of participating academics. The involvement of academics, associates and business partners, has been a contributor in the strategic building of a solid foundation on which to realize the future success of BE at UP.
The growth and success over the past decade has been exponential. A major achievement being the positioning of the University as a leader in developing and utilising business opportunities, both nationally and internationally, within the commercial research and consulting industry. I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to our valued clients, staff and business partners for the continued support and commitment which has ensured the companys future positioning in the research and consulting industry, said Mr Deon Herbst, Chief Executive Officer, BE at UP.
Due to external work undertaken through BE at UP, research output is often attributed to consultation work, which is a benefit of collaborating efforts to transfer knowledge not only to industry but also to the students of the University, said Prof Sibusiso Vil-Nkomo, Chairman of the Board of Directors, BE at UP.
BE at UP creates a platform to accelerate quality, relevance and sustainability in close alignment with the University. Operating under a research intensive University, BE at UP offers all sectors of industry access to a vast pool of multidisciplinary brainpower available at the University and has focused on delivering personalised services to assist its clients in the private and public sector, with effective decision making based on sound research.
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